Road Safety

Contents

• Legal Responsibilities
• Managing work related road safety

Policy statement

As part of our overall health and safety policy, NICVA is committed to reducing the risk which our staff face and create when driving for work. A significant number of NICVA staff use their own cars to occasionally attend pre-arranged or ad hoc meetings, seminars or training events. Certain considerations and health and safety requirements apply to staff who drive occasionally or for short distances while at work. Commuting is not deemed to be driving at work, unless the employee is travelling to a location which is not their usual place of work.

Legal Responsibilities

NICVA’s duty as an employer under road traffic law and the Health and Safety at Work (NI) order 1978, requires us to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of our employees while they are at work. NICVA also have a responsibility to ensure others are not put at risk by our staff’s work related driving activities.

In order to comply with the legal provision of the health and safety legislation, all staff members who drive in any capacity for business purposes will be required under go an assessment of the risks to the health and safety, while they are driving at work. (Risk assessment attached)

Managing work related road safety

Line Managers must ensure

• They also lead by personal example.
• They do not expect staff to answer all calls whilst driving.
• They encourage a passenger to use the phone .
• Work practices do not pressure staff to use their mobile whilst driving.
• Periodic checks are conducted to ensure policy is being followed.
• They challenge unsafe attitudes and behaviours.

Staff who drive for work must

• Confirm that I have a valid driving licence, that the vehicle used is roadworthy with a valid MOT certificate, and meets with relevant legal requirements including, but not limited to, taxation and business insurance.
• Inform NICVA immediately of prosecution pending for any road traffic offences
• Plan their journeys.
• Take sufficent rest breaks.
• Must never make or receive calls on a hand held mobile phone (This is potentially a disciplinary matter).
• Use the hands free or bluetooth at all times
• Co-operate with monitoring, reporting and investigation procedures.
• Ensure they follow medical advice; or if necesssary, avoid driving whilst on prescription medication.
• Ensure they know what to do in the event of an accident.
• Be familiar with NICVA’s policy on work related driving

When planning the journey staff should:

• get directions and plan their route
• scheduling their work to avoid pressure
• check traffic alerts
• ensure a realistic time allowance
• avoid unnecessary pressure
• consider the distance
• ensure you have enough fuel, water oil for the journey
• consider weather conditions.

Hubs

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